EU bans LTTE

[TamilNet, Monday, 29 May 2006, 20:39 GMT]The European Union (EU) ministers Monday evening listed the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in EU's list of "terrorist organizations" while Tamil diaspora was holding worldwide protests including in several European capitols against the ban. The decision, widely expected to have an adverse affect on the already tenuous peace process, has been officially approved, agency reports from Brussels said.

The EU imposed a travel ban on the Tamil Tigers last October.

"One of the consequences [of the listing] is the freezing of [LTTE's] assets," an envoy was quoted by the Reuters. The report said the decision was taken at a regular meeting of EU ministers in Brussels.

Informed sources said the ban on the Tigers had drawn much discussion behind the scene in diplomatic circles.

The sources further said that the Tigers were notified on the move in advance and urged to attend the talks in Geneva.

Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) blocked a crucial central committee meeting with the regional commanders after getting information on EU's move, Liberation Tigers said, accusing GoSL for the talk sabotage.

The Royal Norwegian Government, notified of EU's move, had dropped the EU list of banned individuals and organisations, stating that it could cause difficulties for Norway in its role as "neutral facilitator in certain peace processes."

Norway said it will no longer align itself with any other list than that published by the UN.